Hearing Assessments
Professional hearing assessments by a qualified audiologist.
We see patients of all ages, from newborns and toddlers through to adults and pensioners. Whether you are a parent worried about your child’s speech development, or an adult noticing that conversations have started to feel harder to follow, our experienced team is here to help.
Our doctors in GoldCare, can conduct an initial hearing screen, review your medical history, check for ear wax or infection, and write a referral to an AAudA-qualified audiologist if further diagnostic testing is needed.
Benefits Include:
- ✅ FREE for eligible patients
- ✅ Expert audiologist (AAudA-qualified)
- ✅ No waiting lists
- ✅ Integrated care with GP
- ✅ Local accessibility
Hearing Tests for Adults and Seniors
Age-related hearing loss, known clinically as presbycusis, is one of the most common conditions affecting adults over 50. Research shows that around 1 in 3 people over 50 experience some degree of hearing loss, rising to 1 in 2 over the age of 60.
Beyond age, other common causes include noise-induced hearing loss from workplace or recreational noise exposure, tinnitus, ear infections, and medication side effects. WorkSafe-related occupational hearing assessments can also be facilitated through a GP referral.
If you are a pensioner, DVA card holder, or aged care recipient, you may be eligible for subsidised or fully funded hearing services through the Commonwealth Government’s Hearing Services Program (HSP), delivered through Hearing Australia and community partners. Our team can advise on your eligibility and help you access those programs through My Aged Care.
Children's Hearing Assessments
Early identification of hearing difficulties in children is critical. Undetected hearing loss during the early years can affect speech development, language acquisition, learning outcomes, and social skills. The sooner a problem is caught, the sooner it can be managed.
GoldCare’s GPs are experienced in assessing hearing concerns in children, from babies right through to school-age kids. If your child’s newborn hearing screen flagged a concern, or if you have noticed signs of hearing difficulty at home or school, please book an appointment with us.
What Happens During a Hearing Assessment at GoldCare
During your appointment, your GP will begin with a review of your symptoms and relevant medical history. This includes any previous ear infections, medications, noise exposure history, and family history of hearing loss.
Your GP will then perform an otoscopy, which is a visual examination of the ear canal and eardrum, to check for ear wax build-up, infection, or physical abnormalities. An in-room hearing screen may also be performed using a tuning fork or basic audiometric equipment.
If further assessment is required, your GP will write a referral to a qualified audiologist. A full audiological assessment typically involves pure tone audiometry in a soundproof booth, tympanometry to test middle ear function, and may include speech recognition testing or auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing depending on the case.
The entire GP appointment usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes. A referral to an external audiologist for a full diagnostic hearing test may take an additional 45 to 60 minutes at the specialist clinic.
MEET Your Audiologist
Ara Moorthy
BSc, MAud (Hons), AAudA
Principal Audiologist
M: 0401 703 647
ara.moorthy@heartek.com.au
Ara Moorthy is an experienced and compassionate audiologist with over 20 years of experience helping adults improve their hearing across New Zealand and Australia. Through his work in both metropolitan and regional communities, Ara has developed a strong understanding of the real life impact hearing loss can have not just on individuals, but on their families and daily connections. He is a member of Independent Audiologists Australia and holds accreditation with Audiology Australia, reflecting his commitment to high clinical and professional standards.
Ara provides a range of services, including:
- Comprehensive adult hearing assessments
- Hearing aid fitting, programming, and ongoing support
- Tinnitus assessment and management
- Ear wax (cerumen) removal
- Custom hearing protection and communication devices
- On-site services for aged care and retirement village residents
- Medicare supported hearing services
Ara is a also a registered provider with the Australian Government’s Hearing Services Program, which means eligible pension card holders can access subsidised services. He is also registered with Medicare, helping make hearing care more accessible and affordable for those who qualify.
Experienced GPs in Dandenong with a focus on patient-centred care
We see patients of all ages, from newborns and toddlers through to adults and pensioners.
Why Choose Us?
- Fully bulk billing, no out-of-pocket costs
- Experienced GPs in Dandenong with a focus on patient-centred care
- Children's and adult hearing assessments under one roof
- GP referrals to audiologists and Hearing Australia
- NDIS, My Aged Care, and Hearing Services Program support
- Interpreters available for patients across all language backgrounds
- Now accepting new patients
FAQs
No, you do not need a referral to see an audiologist privately. However, visiting your GP first is recommended. At GoldCare, our GPs can assess your ears, conduct a basic hearing screen, and provide a referral letter that may be required to access Medicare rebates or Hearing Australia services. A GP referral is required for most government-funded hearing programs.
The GP consultation that includes your hearing assessment is fully bulk billed at GoldCare, meaning there is no cost to you. For full audiological assessments by an audiologist, Medicare rebates may apply depending on your eligibility. Pensioners and concession card holders may access free assessments through the Hearing Services Program.
A GP hearing consultation at GoldCare typically takes 20 to 30 minutes. If you are referred on to a full audiological assessment with a specialist, that appointment usually takes 45 to 60 minutes and may include tests such as pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, and speech recognition testing.
All newborns in Victoria are offered a hearing screening under the Victorian Infant Hearing Screening Program (VIHSP) shortly after birth. After that, children should be assessed again before starting school, and at any point if parents or teachers notice signs of hearing difficulty. There is no minimum age for a hearing assessment at GoldCare.
Yes. Hearing Australia provides free hearing services to all Australian children and young people under the age of 26, regardless of whether they receive a pension or hold a concession card. This includes hearing assessments, audiological support, and hearing devices if needed. Your GP at GoldCare can provide the referral documentation required to access these services.
A hearing screening is a quick pass or fail test that identifies whether further investigation is needed. A full hearing assessment is a detailed diagnostic evaluation that measures the type, degree, and likely cause of any hearing loss across different frequencies. Assessments are typically conducted by a certified audiologist and produce a full audiogram.
Yes. GPs can perform basic hearing screens in the clinic, including otoscopy and tuning fork tests, and can refer patients on to audiologists for comprehensive diagnostic testing. At GoldCare, our GPs can assess your hearing concerns, manage ear conditions such as wax build-up or infection, and coordinate referrals to specialist hearing services.
Common signs of hearing loss in children include not responding to their name, delayed speech, unclear pronunciation, frequently asking for repetition, difficulty following instructions, and falling behind at school. Younger children may not turn toward sounds or startle at loud noises. If you have any concerns, book an appointment with your GP at GoldCare as early as possible.
Adults over 50 are generally advised to have their hearing checked every two years, or more frequently if there is a known risk factor such as significant noise exposure, a family history of hearing loss, or existing tinnitus. Younger adults with workplace noise exposure should also be assessed regularly. A quick GP check at GoldCare is a good starting point.
Yes. Pensioners and DVA card holders are eligible for subsidised or fully funded hearing assessments and devices through the Commonwealth Government's Hearing Services Program (HSP). GoldCare's bulk billing GPs can help confirm your eligibility and provide the referral needed to access these services. Dandenong-area residents can also access Hearing Australia services with appropriate documentation.
If you have any concerns about your hearing, or your child's hearing, do not wait.
Early assessment leads to better outcomes. GoldCare Medical Centre offers bulk billed hearing assessments for patients of all ages, with experienced GPs ready to help.